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Congratulations to Dr. Jerry Barbosa who received the Children's Dream Fund's 2011 Dreammaker Award. This award is presented annually to an individual who has touched the lives of sick children in our community through their professional accomplishments and personal giving.

The award was presented for the first time to Dr Barbosa, All Children's Hospital Hematology/Oncology Specialist, at the Children's Dream Fund 30 Years of Dreams event on May 24th. Ben Dachepalli, Chairman of the Children's Dream Fund Board said "Dr Barbosa's caring and compassionate approach to the needs of his young patients and their families has lead to a strong partnership between "Dr. B" and the Children's Dream Fund. By recognizing him as our 2011 award winner, and the first ever Dreammaker, we have certainly set the standard for future recipients."

Dr. Barbosa has been a hero to his patients at All Children's Hospital for 30 years. "Dr. B's" kind smile and quiet compassion have always been a great help to his patients and their families."

He came to St. Petersburg from the University of Florida College of Medicine with a vision for a comprehensive pediatric hematology-oncology program at All Children's Hospital. Over the years, he has taken care of thousands of children with cancer, as well as children with hemophilia, sickle cell anemia, AIDS and other blood disorders. The program has grown to be the largest in Florida and one of the largest in the southeastern United States. Seventy to 80 percent of patients are enrolled in clinical trials through the Children's Oncology Group or one of several registries for rare cancers, giving patients access to the most up-to-date research

Yet Dr. Barbosa is much more than an outstanding clinician. He is a deeply caring and compassionate physician. He quickly earns a special place in the hearts of his patients and their parents, who affectionately call him "Dr. B." He gets to know his patients very well and is never too busy or too tired to answer questions or listen to concerns, or to serve as an advocate for children with cancer, sickle cell anemia and other illnesses. Former Governor Jeb Bush named him to the Florida Cancer Control and Research Advisory Council.

Under Dr. Barbosa's leadership, All Children's hematology-oncology program was honored by the American Society of Clinical Oncology as one of the top ten community oncology programs in the country. He built a strong affiliation with Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa that has benefited sarcoma and bone marrow transplant patients and provided avenues for cooperative research in cancer genetics and research.